The animal world is full of surprises, with some creatures being more eye-catching than others because of their strange looks or unusual nature.
When I first saw a picture of this weird “penis snake,” I thought it was a joke. But, to my surprise, it turned out to be a real animal. So, let’s dive into the story behind the viral image that has left thousands of people in shock.
Throughout history, anything shaped like a phallus has grabbed attention and sparked curiosity. A few years ago, images of a strange-looking creature started making the rounds online, leaving many people scratching their heads in disbelief.
With its unique appearance, this mysterious animal quickly earned nicknames like the “penis snake,” “blind snake,” or the “man-aconda.”
But no, it’s not what you think.
Even though it looks a lot like a snake, this creature is actually called *Atretochoana eiselti*. It’s not a snake at all, but an amphibian, more closely related to a salamander. It’s also the largest known lungless tetrapod, which means it breathes through its skin instead of lungs.
This rare animal lives in the waters of the Amazon in Brazil and was hard to find for a long time. It was first discovered by Sir Graham Hales during an expedition with Sir Brian Doll in the late 1800s.
However, it wasn’t officially described until 1968. After more research, scientists reclassified it in 1996, giving it its own unique genus, *Atretochoana*.
In 2011, this species was rediscovered in the Amazon region. It lives only in the Amazon River and its largest tributary, the Madeira River in Brazil. The “penis snake” has only been found in this area and nowhere else in the world.
The viral pictures that blew up the internet a few years ago actually came from 2011. That’s when a whole family of these phallic-shaped creatures was found at the bottom of the Madeira River in Brazil. They were discovered when the river was drained during work on a hydroelectric dam.
Julian Tupan, a biologist working with the Santo Antonio Energy company on the dam, explained that not much is known about these lungless, limbless amphibians.
“Out of the six we collected, one died, three were released back into the wild, and two were kept for study,” he told *Estadao*, according to the U.K.’s *The Sun*.
Tupan pointed out that these “snakes” aren’t dangerous and are unlikely to show any aggressive behavior.
“Even though they look like snakes, they’re not reptiles; they’re more closely related to salamanders and frogs. We think the animal breathes through its skin and probably eats small fish and worms, but that hasn’t been proven yet.
“The Amazon is full of surprises when it comes to reptiles and amphibians. There’s still a lot more to discover.”
According to a paper published in the Brazilian scientific journal *Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi: Ciências Naturais*, one of these creatures found in the riverbed was photographed extensively. Some of the animals were released back into the Madeira River, while others were sent to the Emilio Goeldi Paraense Museum in Belem, Brazil.
The most popular photo, which Julian Tupan shared on Instagram, shows an adult female *A. eiselti* that’s just under 40 inches long.
Even though these creatures are fascinating, there’s still a lot we don’t know about them. One mystery that puzzles researchers is their diet. Scientists think these phallic-shaped animals might eat small fish, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Another mystery about these creatures is how they breathe, as scientists haven’t confirmed the method yet. When the six specimens were discovered in 2011, it made things even more puzzling. What’s especially interesting is where they were found— in cold, fast-flowing water with limited oxygen. Since warmer water holds less oxygen, their ability to live without lungs is even more remarkable.
Based on these findings, scientists believe this species might be widespread across the Brazilian Amazon and could even extend into Bolivia.
Nature constantly surprises us with its endless wonders. From the deepest oceans to the tallest mountains, the natural world is full of amazing things waiting to be discovered.
Share this incredible story on Facebook with your friends and family to spark their curiosity and get them talking about the wonders of nature!
Everyone was wondering what happened to Carrie Underwood’s husband
A regular pair on the red carpet is Carrie Underwood and her spouse, Mike Fisher. At the most renowned award shows in the world, such as the Grammys, CMA Awards, and American Music Awards, they have walked together.
Usually, we can’t get enough of how adorable this country music artist and her retired hockey player spouse are together.
One place you can always be sure to see Fisher standing proudly by his wife’s side is the CMT Music Awards. The former star player for the Nashville Predators made appearances with Underwood in the following seasons: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Following the outbreak, award shows saw a minor change in operation, but Fisher rejoined his wonderful wife in 2022.
On April 2, however, when the 2023 CMT Awards took place in Austin, Texas, Fisher was nowhere to be seen. What’s the deal, then?
Regarding Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood, don’t assume that there is conflict in paradise. Since his wife was vying for both Female Video of the Year and Video of the Year at the 2023 CMT Awards, he chose not to attend in person to support her.
The “Hate My Heart” singer admitted on the red carpet that her hubby was really on dad duty for the evening when asked where he was.
“My spouse is in command of the children. Usually, he holds down the fort while I work on projects like these. Even at home, she seemed to be watching her three boys since she shouted out to them. Oh no!
Notably, the former hockey great most likely did not have as much access to the 2023 award ceremony as he did in previous years. Nashville, the home of country music, has hosted the CMTs in recent years.
This happened close to Franklin, Underwood and Fisher’s home in a Nashville suburb. Nevertheless, the award ceremony was set to move to Texas in November 2022.
Underwood looked as like she was making the most of her time in Texas, far from her sons, though, as she looked stunning in a two-piece made of rhinestones that would have put her on any Best Dressed list.
Despite being well-known, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher make an effort to keep their two kids, Isaiah and Jacob, out of the spotlight. The singer of “Jesus Take the Wheel” and Fisher made the decision not to bring the kids along on tour last year in order to prevent upsetting their routine.
Underwood told ET Canada, “They are not coming with me this time.” “We prioritize my oldest’s education, and she is enrolled in school. We desire for their lives to be as typical as they may be.
Underwood added that Fisher is a hands-on father, which frees her up to focus on her career. I consider myself fortunate as well. I must boast a little about my husband,” she murmured. “He’s got it. He has it under lock and key while I’m not here. I never have to worry about dirty laundry or unpacked lunches.
And considering Fisher’s desire to have a child, that makes sense. He expressed his excitement about becoming a father to The Tennessean prior to Isaiah’s birth in 2015.
“Many people say it’s impossible to explain until it happens, and then it’s the greatest thing ever,” he said about having children. “I’m simply considering how to be the greatest father I can be.”
Although Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood seem like the perfect couple right now, this wasn’t always the case. Fisher has always wanted to be a loving mother, but Underwood first had doubts about her capacity to be a decent mother.
In the “Mike and Carrie: God & Country” documentary, the country music star said, “I’ve never been fantastic with other people’s children. “Why would I be terrific with one of my own?” She also mentioned that initially, starting a family wasn’t even on her list of priorities.
She said, “I don’t think I ever thought about getting married or starting a family.” “I’m a good solo performer.” Conversely, Fisher was the complete opposite.
Along with my three other siblings, I was raised. In addition, my parents were amazing. And I think all I wanted was something similar,” he said. “I wanted to have a wife like my mother, to be like my father, and to be the best father I could be. and while residing in the nation, bear children.
Nevertheless, everything turned out for the best because Underwood and Fisher and their two kids now reside in the country. Underwood’s whole outlook on parenthood was completely upended after Isaiah was born. It has altered who I am as a person. I feel better now. Most of the time, I’m in a better mood,” she said in an interview with Redbook Mag. “I am completely enamored!”
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